Austin Film Meet

The world is a flutter with news of the killer smash hit wonder film: Avatar.  Oh, the 3D FX and all the cool technology and such.  It’d be neat to get a hold of one of them 3D cameras.

Well, hold on a second there… I don’t have  the budget for a Cameron — a camera.  Matter of fact, I’m a bit behind the times.  I was very reluctant to surrender my AG-DVX100 few months back to the God’s that be (pawn shop)…. but, I had no choice and had to put that baby to rest once and for all.  While everyone’s talking 3D… I’m just trying to upgrade to HD.

So, the obvious choice would be to get Panasonic’s HD version of the DVX:  HVX100 (or whatever the latest one is now).  Doesn’t matter.  Why?  Cuz Canon’s got brand new bag.

It started with 5D.

CANON 5D

The Canon 5D MK2… this bad boy is suppose to be a still camera (you know, for weddings and dragonflies… whatever photgraphers snap pictures of )… well… so, I didn’t give it a second look.  But, one day I discovered that with a flip of a switch those still photographs… can be given a pulse.  That’s right, underneath that regular still camera was an HD motion picture cine-wonder-machine.  The dang thing captures HD Footage that looks like frickin film (or the damn closest it’s been thus far).

It costs as much as a regular HD camera.  Incidentally, the RED ONE costs like 4times more, but the 5D looks wayyy better (I don’t even like the Red One).  But, it appears to be the standard for alot filmmakers.  The 5D is a still camera gone rogue, snapping better shots than the RED, HVX or I don’t know what else at just under price tag of just under 3k.

But, that was soooo last year.  My friend, a great DP, a few weeks back sent me an email about something called the 7D.  I was all: huh?  7D… you mean 5D?

He was all:  The 7D is like the 5D… except cheaper.  Like $1,000 cheaper.  I was all:  what???

CANON 7D

I looked it up.  It was no joke.  Within hours YouTubes was flooded with videos of the miraculous (and cheap) wonder that was the 7D camera.  With everyone posting TEST footage after test footage of video of the first thing they recorded since buying the camera.  It was like how Edison must’ve felt when he recorded sound… or Bell when he made his first phone call… or Armstrong landing on the moon…

This 7D thing is like under $2,000 with lenses (5D over $2,000 without lenses) but, has more movie functionalities than the 5D.  I was like… no way!!  I am so getting this… if I have to save all my pennies.  I will get the 7D.  I will get awesome looking visuals for my movie projects.  I will do this… uhm… next pay day… (fast forward to present)

MON.  FEB 8th — EARLY MORNING
A day that will live in envy — for those who spent their money on the 7D.  Canon releases the 550D.  Which can do exactly what the 7D does but for less than a G.

CANON 550D

Did you hear me?  A G (bout a grand)!  I am flabbergasted once again.  I got on youtubes… and there’s only a half dozen reviews posted in 24hours.  One TEST footage video (from Canon)… but, the comparisons, gripes and complaints will certainly flood the webs, youtubes, blogs (uh-huh), tweets and just about everywhere I guess.

I have so many mixed feelings… but if the rumors are true… I’m glad it wasn’t the 7D that I got. For it might be the 550D after all.

Believe it or not… this video explains exactly how I feel. Just listen to the guy with the funny mustache.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AMKGHN8kPkThe New 550D